Atherosclerotic occlusive disease after radiation for pelvic malignancies

We have studied 15 women who were previously treated by irradiation for pelvic malignancies and who all developed symptoms of arterial occlusive disease of the iliac arteries and the distal aorta. Risk factors were evaluated in a case control study in which each patient was compared with three individually matched controls who were treated during the same period for the same type of cancer and who did not develop arterial occlusions. We conclude that smoking habits as well as treatment by irradiation are strong predictors of the development of atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Side effects of irradiation occur in the arteries more often in patients who have also radiation reactions in other organs--for example, the bowel and bladder. Irradiation acts in combination with other atherogenic factors and this should be kept in mind when radiation treatment is planned for patients with a high risk of developing atherosclerosis.